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Sex Crimes Plea Puts Former LA Deputy Behind BarsA former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy will likely spend two years behind bars for sex crimes. At a hearing, the former deputy pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting 6 female inmates. The assaults took place at the Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood in 2017.

The former corrections official allegedly assaulted the women in their cells and in other jail areas. Investigators arrested the 10-year veteran initially in September 2017 when two victims came forward. Following his initial arrest, additional victims surfaced and authorities arrested him a second time. Each time, he posted bail and was released the next day. Originally, he faced charges of rape under color of authority, but pleaded no contest to lesser offenses. All of the victims were adults at the time of their assaults. Due to his convictions on lesser offenses, the man will not have to register as a sex offender.

The man will return to court for sentencing on September 26. If he fails to appear, his sentence could be converted to a maximum of seven years and four months.

Los Angeles sex crimes attorney

When you face charges for sexual offenses, hire an experienced sex crimes attorney like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of practice experience, exclusively in criminal defense. He takes sexual assault defense cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.

This case demonstrates that not all convictions for sexual offenses result in mandatory sex offender registration. Certain offenses don’t qualify for the state’s offender registry statute. Mr. Helfend does not judge clients based on the charges against them. He will work aggressively to reduce the charges against his clients, or get them dropped altogether.

Sex offender registration places a heavy burden on people. Those who are required to register may have trouble finding work or living arrangements. They may face restrictions on who they can associate with or where they can live. Although the law offers some protection for registered sex offenders, many communities continue to enforce illegal statutes against offenders.
Don’t settle for an inexperienced defense attorney and don’t assume that there’s nothing you can do to defend yourself. Contact Robert Helfend or call toll-free at (800) 834-6434, (310) 456-3317, (818) 591-2809 or (805) 273- 5611 for an immediate consultation on your Los Angeles County sex crimes case.

Securities fraud sentence for Long Beach tax preparerA Long Beach tax preparer will spend eight years in federal prison for securities fraud. The woman allegedly embezzled nearly $30 million over two decades from clients who believed that she was investing their money.

In addition to her incarceration term, the woman must complete three years of supervised release and pay $27.5M in restitution. Many of the woman’s victims were elderly or were approaching retirement age. When authorities arrested the woman, her clients discovered that their retirement funds were gone. The woman was a certified public accountant, but she was not a licensed broker or dealer. The majority of her investors allowed the woman to manage their retirement portfolios. One victim lost in excess of $12M.

Prosecutors characterized the scam as a classic Ponzi scheme. The woman used some investor funds to make payments to other investors. She told her victims that the payments were returns on their investments. She also used the funds to pay her own expenses and buy real estate. To sustain the fraud, the woman created fake documentation and investment portfolios. In March, in a civil action, the Securities and Exchange Commission also charged the woman with fraud.

Long Beach securities fraud lawyer

When you face charges related to investment fraud, hire an experienced securities fraud attorney like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of experience exclusively in criminal defense. He takes federal cases in any US District Court. He also takes state cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.

Investment fraud is particularly interesting to federal prosecutors because of the money involved. At the same time, investment fraud doesn’t always affect only affluent investors. It often impacts investors who cannot afford to lose their retirement or other savings.

Federal prosecutors are both persistent and aggressive. That’s why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your team. Mr. Helfend does not judge his clients based on the charges they face. Instead, he simply works hard to get the charges against them reduced or dropped.

Don’t risk your freedom on an inexperienced attorney, or one who doesn’t know how to defend you in federal court. Contact Robert Helfend or call toll-free at (800) 834-6434, (310) 456-3317, (818) 591-2809 or (805) 273-5611 for an immediate consultation on your Los Angeles County securities fraud case.

Embezzlement from Los Angeles Church Leads to Chairman’s ArrestThe former chairman of the Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist in Los Angeles, will remain jailed awaiting trial for embezzlement. Authorities arrested the man last month for allegedly siphoning more than $11M from the church over more than a decade.

The church hired the man in 2001 as its facilities manager. In 2005, the man began serving as the church’s local chairman. Around the same time, he began transferring church funds to his personal accounts. Investigators say that he used the money to pay personal expenses and purchase a $2M home in Huntington Beach. He used part of the money to purchase membership in an exclusive dining club at Disneyland. He also used a significant portion of the money to trigger a large tax refund from the IRS.

The man altered the church’s financial records to make the missing cash appear as donations to charities and service companies. He also transferred funds to a number of front companies he operated.

Federal prosecutors asked a judge to keep the man in custody pending trial. They cited a real danger of flight and suggested that the man posed a danger to the community. The judge in the case agreed. The suspect will return to court in late October to seek bond and release while awaiting trial. Currently, he faces charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces as much as 250 years in prison.

Los Angeles Embezzlement Attorney

When you face charges for employment-related theft, hire an experienced embezzlement attorney like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of experience in criminal defense. He takes federal criminal defense cases in any circuit in the United States. He also takes state-level cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.

This case demonstrates how complicated employment-related theft cases can be. Depending upon the circumstances of your case, federal prosecution is a very real possibility. Federal prosecutors are aggressive, and well-financed. In addition, their white-collar prosecutions have earned them a very high conviction rate.

That’s why you need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney by your side. Mr. Helfend does not judge his clients based on the charges against them. He simply works hard to get the charges reduced or dropped. When that’s not possible, he works toward the best possible outcome for each case.

Fraud Investigation Leads to Carson, GardenaInvestigators from the FBI worked for three years to put an end to a familiar fraud and money laundering scheme. Last month, a judge unsealed a 252-count indictment against 80 people largely from Nigeria. According to investigators, the group conspired to steal millions in the “Nigerian prince” email scam.

The agency arrested 11 people in connection with the fraud. Two individuals were already in custody. Six additional people are fugitives but thought to be in the United States. The rest of the indicted individuals reside outside of the United States.

The defendants sought out victims in the United States and around the world. In an effort to get them to transfer money, the conspirators pretended to be Nigerian royalty. They also posed as individuals seeking romantic connections. The scam targeted both individuals and businesses.

Two of the men arrested last month reside in Carson and Gardena. Allegedly, they laundered the money for the scam in exchange for a cut of the proceeds. Every named defendant faces charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to launder money and aggravated identity theft. Some individuals also face additional charges for money laundering and fraud.

Carson Fraud Lawyer

When you face charges for fraudulent activity, hire an experienced fraud lawyer like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has more than 30 years of experience in criminal defense. He takes state-level cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. He takes federal cases in any US District Court.

Fraud charges often accompany other more serious charges like conspiracy, money laundering, wire fraud or mail fraud. Convictions on these charges can result in long prison sentences. Often, following the completion of a federal sentence, foreign defendants also face deportation.

When you face federal criminal charges for fraudulent activity, your best defense begins with an experienced fraud lawyer. Mr. Helfend does not judge his clients based on the charges against them. He simply works hard to get the charges against them reduced or dropped. When that’s not possible, he will work toward the best possible resolution to their cases.

Identity theft suspect captured in Los AngelesA woman whom police describe as a prolific identity thief remains jailed after being charged with identity theft. Police attempted to arrest the woman in July, but she fled the area with her boyfriend in a sports car. During the pursuit, the woman fled the vehicle and the boyfriend drove off without her. Police arrested the driver at the end of the pursuit and prosecutors charge him with felony evading. He failed to appear in court after posting bail.

Police began surveilling the woman again in August and arrested her outside of her home. Her boyfriend was apprehended a few days later. Following the arrest, police conducted a search of the woman’s residence. Inside, they found credit card making equipment and equipment used to make false identification cards. Police also recovered about $5,000 in cash from the woman during the arrest.

Detectives first began investigating the woman for financial crimes in December 2017. At that time, prosecutors charged her with multiple identity-related felonies. After posting bail, she failed to appear in court. The court issued a felony bench warrant, and police were attempting to arrest her on that warrant in July.

She remains jailed on a $1.51M bail and will return to court on September 5 for matters related to her case.

Los Angeles identity theft attorney

When you face identity-related crimes, hire an experienced identity theft attorney like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of practice experience, exclusively in criminal defense. He takes cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. Identity crimes also violate federal law, so you can face these charges in federal court. Mr. Helfend also takes federal cases in any US District Court.

Don’t rely on an inexperienced attorney and don’t attempt to represent yourself in court, no matter what you face charges for. Contact Robert Helfend or call toll-free at (800) 834-6434, (310) 456-3317, (818) 591-2809 or (805) 273-5611 for an immediate consultation on your Los Angeles County identity theft case.

DUI Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal 605 Freeway CrashAn off-duty Los Angeles police officer pleaded not guilty to murder following a deadly Santa Fe Springs DUI crash. The collision, which took place in September 2017, killed three members of one family. The driver, who has since been discharged from the LAPD, remains jailed on a $6 million bail.

According to witnesses, the officer was driving a Camaro in the carpool lane when he collided with the family’s Nissan. He also crashed into a Toyota. The collision forced the Nissan into the center divider, then burst into flames. Investigators presented data from the officer’s Camaro showing that the car was traveling at 151 mph on first impact. Additionally, the officer had been drinking at a Whittier bar and his blood-alcohol content was .13 following the crash.

Last month, a judge ordered the man to stand trial for three counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter, one count of driving under the influence. If convicted of all charges, the man faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

Santa Fe Springs DUI attorney

When you face charges for drunk driving, hire an experienced DUI attorney like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of experience in criminal defense. He takes cases for DUI in LA and throughout Southern California.

Two out of three drunk driving arrests in California result in misdemeanor charges. The charges you face will depend entirely upon the circumstances of your particular case. The prosecutor will likely seek felony charges for cases that result in death or serious injury. As this case demonstrates, those cases could result in murder charges.

Regardless of the nature of your drunk driving case, you need an experienced defense attorney in your corner. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the courts, provide guidance, and work toward the best possible outcome. Don’t attempt to represent yourself in court, and don’t assume that you have no options.

Theft From Mail Trucks Leads to Guilty PleasTwo half-brothers pleaded guilty to the theft of cash from US Postal Service trucks in Los Angeles. The men have both appeared separately before a federal judge.

The men admitted that they planned and committed an armed robbery of a postal service truck. The robbery took place as it left the Wagner Post Office in February 2018. One man acted as a lookout, and the other man blocked the postal service truck with a white minivan. He then produced a gun and threatened the postal service worker. The pair stole nearly $38,000 in cash from the truck.

With another accomplice, the older brother planned and carried out a second US Postal Service truck robbery the next month. This robbery took place on the Harbor Freeway at Slauson Avenue. The men blocked the postal service vehicle as the driver attempted to exit the freeway.
That robbery netted more than $72,000 in cash. The postal service vehicle had recently left the Dockweiler Post Office.

One of the brothers had formerly been employed as a postal supervisor. He worked at both the Wagner and Dockweiler post offices and knew when the Postal Service transferred cash. In addition to the robberies, the pair also participated in a post office theft. As part of their plea agreements, the men admitted to the thefts and the burglary. They also admitted to stealing nearly $250,000 from the US Postal Service.

The younger brother faces a sentence of life in prison when he returns to court on November 25. The older brother faces a sentence of 25 years in prison when he returns to court on October 28.

Los Angeles theft lawyer

When you face charges of theft, hire an experienced theft lawyer like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of experience in criminal defense. He takes cases in all federal circuits in the United States. He also takes state-level cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.

Federal prosecutors are well resourced and will fight aggressively for your conviction in court. That’s why you need an experienced defense attorney who will fight just as aggressively for you.

Drug Possession Charge Could Await Santa Monica TrioA trio of Santa Monica residents could face charges of drug possession for sale. During a raid conducted earlier this year, Santa Monica police raided two homes in Lennox and Hawthorne. During the raids, police found nearly 30 weapons, 4000 rounds of ammunition and $200,000 in cash. In addition, police also found large quantities of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

Investigators arrested two men and a woman at the homes. One man, a 28-year-old Los Angeles resident, faces multiple charges of possession of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine for sale. He may also firearms charges and a child endangerment charge. He was lodged in the Santa Monica Jail on a bail of $200,000.

A 30-year-old Inglewood woman faces multiple charges of possession of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine for sale. She also faces firearms charges and a child endangerment charge. She was lodged in the Santa Monica Jail on a bail of $50,000.

A 25-year-old Los Angeles man arrested at the scene faces charges of possession of heroin for sale. He was lodged in the Santa Monica Jail on a bail of $30,000.

Los Angeles Drug Possession Lawyer

Many people are sitting in California jails and prisons today serving time for drug crimes. When you face drug charges, hire an experienced drug possession lawyer like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of practice experience, exclusively in criminal defense. He takes drug crimes cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California.

Drug crimes can result in felony convictions, which can put a “strike” on your record. In California, people who accumulate a history of felony convictions can be subjected to lifetime incarceration. Even without earning a third “strike,” a second-strike conviction can require the judge to impose longer prison terms and higher fines. The impact on your life and family can be devastating.

As your attorney, Mr. Helfend’s first priority will be to get the charges against you reduced or dropped. This strategy is critical to avoiding second-strike convictions and the sentence enhancements that go along with it.

When that’s not possible, Mr. Helfend will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. That could mean taking your matter to trial, or working with the prosecutor to arrive at an acceptable plea agreement.

When you’re facing drug charges, your freedom is on the line. Don’t settle for an inexperienced attorney. Contact Robert Helfend or call toll-free at (800) 834-6434, (310) 456-3317, (818) 591-2809 or (805) 273-5611 for an immediate consultation on your Los Angeles County drug possession case.

Murder Suspect Arrested, Returned from MexicoA man suspected of the 2012 murder of his wife faces charges in an Orange County court. Peter Chadwick, a real estate investor, fled the US following the death of his wife, Quee Chadwick. According to police, the couple had been considering a divorce.

Investigators said that the man strangled his wife during an argument. He then dumped her body in a garbage container in San Diego County. Quee Chadwick failed to pick up the couple’s children from school the day she disappeared. Police began looking at Chadwick as a suspect.

After dumping the body, Chadwick traveled to the US-Mexico border, but called police the next day. Police arrested Chadwick and returned him to Orange County. Searchers did not find Mrs. Chadwick’s body for more than a week. By the time police located her remains, they had already charged Chadwick with his wife’s death. Arresting officers noted bruises on Peter Chadwick’s body that were consistent with a violent struggle. They also found blood in the couple’s home that later matched the victim.

An Orange County judge ordered Chadwick released on $1.5M bail. The court also ordered Chadwick to live with his father in Santa Barbara while awaiting trial. In early 2015, Chadwick unexpectedly withdrew millions of dollars from his bank account and fled. The US Marshal’s Office added Chadwick to their 15 Most Wanted List. Chadwick has pleaded not guilty to the murder. He claims that a housepainter kidnapped his wife and killed her.

While in Mexico, Chadwick used a series of aliases and fake IDs to avoid detection. Police in the Mexican city of Puebla moved in and arrested Chadwick August 4. The man lived in a duplex where a large number of former Orange County residents live. US authorities said they received a tip about a week earlier regarding Chadwick’s possible whereabouts. The US Marshal’s Service had made Chadwick the subject of a six-part podcast and solicited information from the public. They also offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Chadwick’s arrest.

They narrowed Chadwick’s probable location to Mexico last year. Before fleeing the United States, Chadwick attempted to make authorities believe that he had fled to Canada. He remains jailed without bail while awaiting trial in Orange County.

Los Angeles murder lawyer

When you face charges for homicide in Los Angeles County, hire an experienced murder lawyer like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of experience in criminal defense and takes homicide cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. In his more than 3 decades of practice, Mr. Helfend has defended thousands of Californians in criminal courts.

A California homicide conviction can literally put your life at stake. Don’t rely on an inexperienced defender! Instead, work with a top-rated defense attorney and see what a difference he can make in the outcome of your case.

Antitrust case against NoCal woman nets guilty pleaA Northern California woman pleaded guilty to federalantitrust violations in a bid-rigging scheme. The woman worked as a representative for a software company and worked with several state agencies. She conspired with two executives of a competing tech company to rig bids with the state agencies.

The trio convinced other companies who did not want state contracts to submit outrageously expensive bids. This allowed the competing tech company, Expert Network Consultants, to win bids with four state agencies. Over a period of four years, the company received $3M in state contracts.

The woman advised the men on how to control the bidding process, and which contracts to bid on. Eventually, the woman left the larger software company and began working for ENC, based in New York. The two ENC executives pleaded guilty last year to federal antitrust charges. One man has already been sentenced to 15 months in prison. The woman will return to court for sentencing in October. The other ENC executive will return to court for sentencing in January. They both face up to 10 years in prison and a $1M fine.

Federal Criminal Antitrust Attorney

Antitrust laws feature both criminal and civil infractions and penalties. In addition, both individuals and corporations can face either type of charges. When you face criminal charges for anticompetitive actions, hire an experienced federal antitrust attorney like Robert Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 35 years of experience exclusively in criminal defense. He takes federal cases in any US District Court. He also takes state-level criminal cases in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. In his more than three decades of practice, he has defended thousands of individuals accused of criminal behavior.

Federal prosecutors are aggressive, and they have a high conviction rate. Defendants see this and assume that the court will convict them. In reality, federal prosecutors choose their cases very carefully. They tend to avoid cases that may not deliver a slam-dunk result.

That’s why having an experienced federal criminal defense attorney on your side is essential. Robert Helfend has established a reputation as an aggressive defense attorney and he’s a top-rated criminal defender.

Don’t settle for inexperience, and don’t assume that a plea bargain is your best option in federal court.

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